Rising
from the ashes of an old ghost town could be a new one in the
State of Texas. The former town now known as BRYANT
STATION, TEXAS was recently purchased by two transsexuals
on staff here at Laura's
Playground named Sharleah and Karen who are
both Vice Presidents here. They plan to establish a Transgender
Support Community there providing housing, medical care and
job training for transgendered people. There are plans to re-name
the town NoJudgement Texas.

Other
towns are also being looked at that already have established
water, electricity and cable and phone services unlike Bryant
station. This means those towns would take less capital to develop
in the short term.

The
Towns though LGBT flavored and protected would be open to everyone.
It would not be an isolated or exclusive community. Laws would
be enacted to protect LGBT persons from discrimination and hate
crimes. It would encourage them to come out and live as their
true selves, allowing them to work, live and play in peace.

There
are towns where this has happened such as San Francisco, Provincetown
and Northampton Massachusetts. This town would be different
as there would be many more central services for the transgendered
necessary to complete the (RLE) Real Life Experience that many
in the community need to go through before surgery. While their
have always been large LGB groups across the country Transgender
and Transsexual communities are scattered and small in number
making centralized locations for support difficult. This would
change that by providing all services in one location.

It
would be similar to many college or job training towns in that
there would be a transitory element and one for permanent residents.
It would be like any medium size community with schools, fire,
police, shops, recreation areas and tourist attractions as well
as a craft center where residents could show off their wares
and talents. Hotels, motels and quality restaurants would also
be included.

Such
a place has long been the dream of many in the TG Community.
It would also make it easier to solve some of our most pressing
problems. Transsexuals have a horrendous suicide rate with 50%
having had at least one suicide attempt by their 20th birthday.
Unemployment in the transgender community stands at 70% and
medical care for most is non-existant.

While
Bryant Station would be a long term project that won't be ready
for some time other ghost towns could provide more immediate
results where basic services already exist. A trailer park (no,
not the formaldehyde ones from FEMA) could be in place in short
order with permanent residences in place within a year. As in
any project there are a great many things to work out. Any one
with skills would be in high demand. It is hoped that job training
for the rest would be in place fairly quickly.